The AI Effect on Entry-Level Jobs and Career Progression

“Using ChatGPT might make you stupid.” That bold statement - based on a study - appeared on a number of news sites and in business journals recently. The article was accompanied by brain scan images suggesting that AI erodes critical thinking. 

It's the kind of story guaranteed to spark outrage - particularly among older generations who see technology as a shortcut rather than a skill. Needless to say it was a topic ripe for discussion between me and Danielle Farage on our #FromXtoZ podcast! 

And also needless to say - the truth is far more complex, and raises bigger questions about how AI is reshaping not just how we work, but how we learn and progress in our careers.

The Disappearing Entry-Level Job

For decades, entry-level jobs were designed around repetitive, and often quite menial, tasks. Interns summarised files, created reports, and performed groundwork that provided valuable context and an understanding of how things fit together. While boring at times, those tasks were the building blocks for developing judgment and critical thinking. They helped you learn how to spot patterns, understand stakeholders, and prepare for more senior responsibilities.

Today, those very tasks are being done by AI in seconds. Need a summary? ChatGPT delivers one instantly. Need a cover letter? AI can generate multiple versions faster than you can type your name. For employers, this is a productivity boost. For graduates, juniors and interns, it means fewer "easy" tasks to start with - and potentially fewer opportunities to learn by doing.

Learning Gaps and Lost Context

One of the risks we talked bout is that when AI handles entry-level tasks, people may lose valuable context. The act of digging through files, for example, could teach you how information is structured, help to learn what’s important, and why things are done a certain way. 

Without these experiences, new hires may have less foundational knowledge - and therefore slower long-term development opportunities - which echoes a common complaint among Gen Z workers that either they have little to do, or they are immediately thrown into complex tasks without the understanding that entry-level work used to provide. 

That jump can accelerate learning for some, but for others, it can create stress and lead to potential skill gaps.

Shifting Skill Priorities

If AI can handle repetitive tasks, what skills will matter more? 

Soft skills are rapidly rising to the top of the list - communication, collaboration, creativity, and emotional intelligence. Critical thinking is still essential, but it may shift away from basic data gathering and toward making strategic connections and asking better questions.

For example, instead of summarising a document, a junior analyst might now be expected to analyse AI’s summary and extract what’s missing or misleading. Instead of drafting a cover letter from scratch, they might focus on personalising and contextualising AI’s output in a way that resonates with their employers.

Changing Brains, Changing Learning

Our conversation also touched on how our brains - and our learning habits - are changing. Gen Z (and AlphaGen) have been exposed to technology and gamified learning from childhood so have different cognitive expectations. Tasks requiring deep focus and delayed gratification (like writing reports or doing long-form research) can feel more challenging when our brains are wired for quick dopamine hits from apps, games, and social media.

This is more than just a workplace issue; it’s a societal one. As technology accelerates, how we teach, train, and even design work needs to adapt to different cognitive baselines. Should we be worried about critical thinking decline? Or should we embrace the fact that tools like ChatGPT free up mental energy for deeper and more analytical thinking? The answer likely depends on how organisations and educators adapt.

Rethinking Entry-Level Work

The old career ladder was built on predictable steps: you start with basic tasks, learn the ropes, then climb upward as you gain experience. AI is dismantling some of those steps. That’s not necessarily bad - many interns now handle complex projects far earlier in their careers than previous generations ever did - but it requires intentional design. Employers need to:

• Redefine entry-level roles to focus on applied problem-solving, creativity, and human interaction.

• Provide context in new ways—mentorship, job shadowing, and structured learning can fill gaps left by disappearing grunt work.

• Invest in soft skill development as AI takes over technical routine tasks.

A Transitional Phase

Ultimately, we’re currently in a transitional phase. Entry-level jobs are not disappearing, but they are transforming. The work experience of someone starting out today looks nothing like it did even five years ago. That can feel unsettling, but it’s also an opportunity - to design jobs, education, and career pathways that prepare people not just to survive in an AI-driven workplace but to thrive.

The big question is not whether AI is making us "stupid" - it's how we will redefine learning, working, and progression in a world where machines handle the basics and humans focus on what truly requires a human touch.

You can check out the full podcast conversation here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu6W-UqLj2Q

Or through the image below

And let us know what you think in the comments.....